Tube swaging tool



Jan. 5,, 1965 M. L. KENNEDY 3,164,045

TUBE SWAGING TOOL Filed June 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 28 INVENTOR. MICHAEL L-KENNEDY ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1965 M. L. KENNEDY 3,164,045

TUBE SWAGING TOOL Filed June 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MKCHAEL L. KENNEDY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office EddifiiS Patented Jan. 5, 1965 3,164,045 TUBE SWAGlNG T001, Michael Lee Kennedy, Benver, Cole. (89 Broadway, San Francisco, (Iaiii) Filed June 8, 1961, Ser. No. 115,738 1 Claim. (Cl. 81-15) This invention relates to a manually-operable tool and, more specifically, the instant invention pertains to the general field of impact-type of tools.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an impact-type tool for swaging the open ends of pipe.

A further object of this invention is to provide an impact-type swage of a compound type which may be used to swage the open ends of pipe having differing internal diameters.

Another object of this invention is to provide an impacttype tool in the nature of a swage for making offset joints.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a multiple unit compound swaging tool wherein the units thereof are detachable for separate use.

This invention contemplates, as a further object thereof, the provision of impact-type tools of the type referred to supra, these tools being precision made for use with standardized copper pipe or tubing, and wherein the same are non-complex in construction and assembly, and which are durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a compound impact-type swaging tool constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the same as being applied to a piece of tubing in the performance of its function;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail medial cross-sectional view of the tool and tubing shown in FIGURE 1 partially foreshortened;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view, partially in section, of the tool shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 3--3 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second embodimerit of this invention wherein the swages are separable, one from the other;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of the compound tool shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 6 being taken on the horizontal plane of line 66 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal medial cross-sectional view of a still further modification of this invention.

The tool It), as shown in FIGURE l-3, is seen to comprise a main body portion 12 having a substantially hollow cylindrical configuration. The main body portion 12 is formed with a frusto-conical end wall 14 from the plane of the frustum of which outwardly projects a substantially solid cylindrical shank 16 that terminates, at its outer end, in an enlarged head 18. The other end of the main body portion 12 is provided with a coaxial internal bore 20 to reduce the weight thereof. This end of the main body portion 12 is also seen to include a plurality of spaced concentric cylindrical tubular swage walls 22, 24, 26 which are integral with the end wall 14 and project laterally away therefrom in the opposite direction from the shank 16. Of these walls, the wall 22 has the greatest axial length, and the wall 24 the next greatest.

The inner end of the wall 22 has an outside diameter, at a swaging portion 28 thereof, greater than any other portion of the wall. This swaging portion 28 connects with a necked-down section 30, forming a swage guide, via a cam surface 32. The swage guide section 30 is, in turn, connected to a second swage portion 34 of further reduced outside diameter, this connection being made by way of the cam surface 35. The second swage portion 34 connects, through the cam surface 38, with a second guide section 44) having a still lesser outside diameter, and the second guide section 40, at its outer end, is formed with a bevel 42.

In a like manner, the next succeeding or intermediate swage wall 24 is formed with a beveled outer end 44 which leads to an axially-extending swage guide section 46 connected through the cam surface 48 with an axially-extending swaging portion 54) of greater diameter than the swage guide section 46.

The swage wall 26 is similarly constructed, having a beveled outer end 52 leading to an axially-extending swage guide section 54 which connects, through the cam surface 56, with an axially-extending swage portion 58.

The main body portion 12 is provided with a radiallyextending, substantially hollow cylindrical sighting passage 59 which intersects and extends transversely through the Walls 24-, 26.

It will be appreciated that the tool 10 is, necessarily, a precision instrument inasmuch as the same is adapted to swage copper pipe constructed in accordance with United States Government Specifications. In particular, the tool 12 shown in FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, is especially designed to swage 3-inch, 2-inch, l /z-inch and I la-inch pipe. The pipe sizes referred to herein are the respective nominal sizes in inches, it being understood, of course, that the outside diameter thereof will differ. For example, the outside diameter of the 3-inch pipe is 3.125, the outside diameter of the 2-inch pipe is actually 2.125, the outside diameter of the l /z-inch pipe is 1.625, and the outside diameter of the 1 fiiinch pipe is 1.375.

Depending upon the manufacturer, and also depending upon the selected type of copper pipe or tubing, the inside diameter thereof will vary, to some extent. This is also true of the wall thicknesses of the pipe or tubing. However, and assuming that we are working pipe 62 shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, of the 1%- inch nominal size, the inside diameter could be standardized at 1.265 inches. The wall thickness of this pipe will be 0.055 inch. Thus, the diameter of the swage guide section 40 will be 1.265 inches and the diameter of the swage portion 34 will be 1.375 inches.

' From the foregoing, and assuming that the pipe 62 is being swaged, the beveled end 42 is inserted into the open end of the pipe 62 and the swage guide portion 49 is then forced therein. This may be accomplished by hammering on the head 18. As the open end of the pipe 62 approaches the cam surface 38, the open end portion of the pipe 62 is flared outwardly until it clears the cam surface 33 and enters on the swage portion 34. The natural resiliency of the metal causes the same to circumscribe this portion very closely. The tool 10 is forced into the open mouth of the tube or pipe 62 until the swaged end thereof is approximate the cam surface 36. The insertion of the wall 29 into the tube or pipe 62 ceases when it is determined visually, that is, by looking into the open end of the tool 10, that the open end of the pipe 62 has reached this point. The tool 19 is then removed from the pipe 62.

The wall 22 is also adapted to handle, for swaging operations, pipes or conduits of the l /z-inch type. To this end, the cam 36 serves in the same manner as the beveled end 42, that is, to permit the easy entry of the tool 10 into the next larger pipe or tube of the l /2-inch nominal size. In this case, the wall 22 makes no contact until the guide section 36 slidably engages the inner surfaceof the larger pipe and, thereafter, the head 18 is The wall 24 sv adaptedto swage a 2-inch (nominal size) pipe and includes the beveled end 44 to facilitate the entry of the tool into the open end of the pipe, the swage guide section 46 having substantially the same external diameter as the inside diameter of the pipe being swaged. V V

The wall 26 is adapted to swage a 3-inch (nominal size) pipe or conduit, and as in the preceding instances, this wall is provided with the beveled end 52 leading to the swage guide portion 54 having substantially the same external diameteras the internal diameter of the pipe to be. swaged, and as the tool 1 is'for'ced inwardly into-the open end of the pipe being swaged, the open end will ride up upon the cam surface 56 and onto 'the swage portion 58.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a compound swaging tool wherein the several components thereof are separable from one another. In these figures, the compound swaging tool is generally indicated by reference numeral 60 (see FIGURE 4) and is seen to comprise a plurality of interconnected elements designated, in FIGURE 5, by the reference numerals 61, 64, 66, and 68-. In this instance, the compound tool 60 is not, necessarily, designed for use with all of the component elements thereof associated inconjunotion with one another at the time the swaging operation takes place. As a matter-of-fact, the tool shown in these figures is designed to be broken down into individual components. However, to facilitate the work of thecraftsman engaged in the swaging of pipe, all of the individual elements of the tool 66 are assembled as a unit adapted to be broken down by the mechanic in the field or shop. 1

To this end, the swaging element 61 is seen to comprise a substantially hollow cylindrical member having an end wall 70substantially cylindricalin configuration. The end wall 7 0 carries a swaging section 72 which connects through the cam surface 74-with a swage guide portion 76.- Entry within the pipe or conduit to be swagedis facilitated by the beveled outer end portion 78.

Reference numeral 80 designates a knurled head adapted to receive impacts from a hammer, the head being substantially cylindrical in configuration and including a threaded shank 82 which is threadedly received within the end wall 79 substantially at the mid-point thereof. n I

The swaging member 61 is adapted for usein connection with 3-inchpipe or conduit.

Reference numeral 83 designates a swaging tool for 2-inch pipe or conduit having a swaging section 84 which connects througlrthe cam surface 86 with the swage guide section 88 which, in turn, is integral with the outer external end of the beveled end 90. V

Reference numeral 92 designates, in general, a swage for 1 /2-inch pipe or conduit. As is seen in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the swage 92 includesa s'waging surface or portion 94 which connects, via the cam surface 96,

106 which, in turn, connects through a cam surface 1'03 with the swage portion 110.v

All the varying size swages are bored and threaded as at 111, 112 and 113 to receive'thereinthe threaded shank 82 of the element 80 when the several swages are To maintain the asdisconnected, one from theiother. sembly of all of the swages as asingle unit, an eye bolt 114extends axially through the swaging units and is.

threadedly' received within the shank 82 of the element 8i 7 To use the embodiment of this invention as is illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 6, inclusive, it is only necessary to unthread the eye bolt 114 from the element 80 and to disconnect "the same from the end wall '70 of the swaging member'62 in the event that swaging of pipe of less than 3 inches is to be accomplished. In the event the swaging operationis to be done with 3-inch pipe, the element 8% may be retained in its place, as shown in FIGURE 6, and theother swaging members, together with the eye bolt 114, are then disconnected and removed therefrom. However, and assuming that it is desired to swage a 2-inch pipe, the element is disconnected from the 3-inch swageland the eye belt 114 is removed therefrom. Thereafter, the element 86) is threaded Within the threadsdll of the swage 33, it being understood, of course, that the eye bolt and other associated swaging elements have been removed therefrom.

FIGURE 7 illustrates still another embodiment of this invention wherein the end wall 70 is provided with a smooth bore 116. to receive the stem or shank 118 of the element 12'!) therethrough. The stem or shank 11% is grooved, as at 122, to receive a snap ring 124 therein. The end Wall 76 of the swaging tool 69 is formed With a circumferential groove 126 to releasably receive the snap ring 124 therein. This affords a quick detachable connection between the swaging element 62 and the impactreceiving element 120. The sWaging members 64, 66 and 63 are all centrally bored to receive therethrough the eye bolt 114 so that all of'the swaging elements may be arranged and secured in nesting relationship, the inner end of the eye bolt 114 being threadedly received withinthe shank or stem 82 of the element 120.

In this instance, each of the swaging elements 64, 66, and 68 are formed with an internal circumferential groove 128, 132i and 132,.respectively, to receive the snap ring 124 afterthe element has been disconnected from the swage. In all other respects, the species of this invention illustrated in FIGURE 7 is identical to that species of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 6, inclusive.

When it is necessary to make an oifset swage, that is, turning the open end of the pipe or tubing at an angle to its normally-extending longitudinal axis, it is only necessary for the user of the several tools to apply a hammer to the impact end ofthe tool at'an angle other than dead center, whereby the pipe or tubing will be defiected to the desired degree.

The compound tools illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 7, inclusive,'=have some advantages over the tool shown in FIGURES 1 1303, inclusive. For example, andassuming that .the proper size of swage 61, 64, 66 or 68 has been selected, and the other of the swages disconnected therefrom, it is possible to make a.scission joint orfitting. This term is utilized in the'plumbing trade and has been adapted from the soil pipe.;-industries name for a particular fitting, the .basic purpose being similar to that rotated. This is done so that the mechanic can comof the common steel pipe union. 'By this it is meant thatxa worker is sableto cut his line intvvo, replace aforgotten'iitting, and reinstall'the'l-ine without the necessity of having to disassemble. the entire line from one end. iA- plum'berusing a selected one of the swages .61, 64,

meant the placing of an instrument in theend of the tribe (in this case, copper pipe) to within the mechan cs ability to mvield a hammer. A slip-through coupling is merely a scissionjoint cu-t ofi the pipe.

Again, in making offset joints, the mechanic first mence his crooked joint. After this has been done, and with the copper .pipe resting upon Wood, the swage is restarted, only this time, it is canted at a sharp angle in the pipe opening. As the sWage is hammered in, the lead or guide (the tendency of the swage to follow the axial direction of the pipe) is fought (that is, resisted by manual lateral pressure) in order to get as much angle as is needed.

It is also preferable to use only one of the swages shown in the modifications illustrated in FIGURES 4 t0 7, inclusive, at a time, due to the large weight factor which causes much pipe recoil. The single units swage shown in FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, does not have this weight factor problem, due to the fact that all of the swages shown therein have a common back. The recoil of the pipe is dangerous and results from the softness of the metal, and work made of this metal tends, when hit, to rebound the striking object.

Having illustrated and described in detail several embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by Way of example, and that the scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A compound swaging tool for swaging the ends of .tu bular members, the tool compnising:

(a) an end Wall havng an axial bore formed therein and having an internal groove opening on the bore;

(b) impact receiving means extending outwardly from one side of the end Wall;

(0) the impact receiving means including a head hava shank extended into the end well here and having a snap ring engaged in said groove, the impact receiving means extending outwardly from said side of said end Wall;

((1) at least one tubular swaging Wall projecting outwardly from the other side of the end wall;

(e) the swaging wall including an outer guide section and an inner swaging portion; and (f) a sloping cam Wall connecting the guide section and swaging portion.

References Cited in the tile of this natent UNITED STATES PATENTS 278,599 Robinson May 29, 1883 450,910 Fisher Apr. 21, 1891 1,419,100 Ayotte lune 6, 1922 1,505,409 Mueller et a1 Aug. 19, 1924 1,971,251 Cornell Aug. 21, 1934 2,226,852 Dobrick Dec. 31, 1940 2,285,025 French June 2, 1942 2,915,107 Wilson Dec. 1, 1959 

